Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy 1906

I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I wasn’t going to be able to tell the wife where she would or would not shop for Christmas this year, so tomorrow we are getting on the train for Bridgewater.

I sometimes feel that I am losing control of affairs in the house here, but after threatening me with substances in my porridge, and lately that I could go and live at the Alton House if I wouldn’t hush up, I felt it was best to go along with the little lady and satisfy her whims. (Mind you, now that Byron Kempton owns the Alton House it has a bathroom, with hot and cold running water, an improvement on the thunder jugs we make use of here at the farm.)

After all is said and done, the Bridgewater merchants have been trying to get the North Queens custom for some time. Our local paper, the Gold Hunter, carries as many advertisements for Bridgewater stores as it does for ones here in the village. I’ve seen ads for G.A. Hubley’s Big Brick Block, where they sell furs; the W.K. Stoddard Co., selling dry goods and gents’ furnishing, and also the Bridgewater Dry Goods store, run by G.M. Boyd.

What sealed it for the wife, however, was the fact that the Halifax and South-Western Railroad laid on a special excursion train from Caledonia to Bridgewater. She said, “Why, if they’re making us that welcome down there, it would be impolite not to go.�

My comments about the great displays at the local N.F. Douglas store, J.E. Cushing’s and at George Bank’s store fell on deaf ears when she heard about the special train. Maybe it will be different next year. I hear that Nelson Douglas is going to build a new store, right at the corner, after years in the present store across from the Anglican Church.

What the Bridgewater merchants do is contribute towards the cost of the train, so that the return fares are very low. They did this a couple of years ago, when the first trains were running from Caledonia to Bridgewater, though I remember that that excursion was cancelled when ice caused water to flow over the track. The train actually set out, packed with people. The Caledonia band was at the station, playing as they left. Unfortunately the train had to come back, and the passengers were most disappointed.

It leaves tomorrow at 7:25 in the morning. The wife will do the chores and get breakfast on the table, then leave the oldest girl in charge of getting the younger two off to school. She plans on bringing a picnic basket with food, in case we get hungry as we tour through the Brookfields, Hemford, New Germany, Northfield and then Bridgewater. The train goes on to Lunenburg, then returns for the trip back at 4:22 in the afternoon, which means that she will have to hustle about to get the shopping done.

It’s quite exciting, I have to admit. I’ve cut logs for the Davison Lumber Company in Bridgewater, and will enjoy seeing the two mills on the LaHave. Also, Davison’s has a steamer in port, the Active, loading lumber for New York. To think that the company, biggest in Nova Scotia, was started by our E.D. Davison, born down in Mill Village.

The wife plans on running about with her basket, which she hopes I will be able to empty on the run down. I told her I expected it would be no trouble, inasmuch as it will have in it some of her tasty pork sandwiches, with pickles from the barrel in the cellar. She wants me to go with her to Phinney’s, to look at a piano, but there is no chance that I will permit her to get one. She’ll have to be satisfied with neckwear from Miss Bailly’s.

Don’t think that I will get away without shopping, too. I will concentrate on something for the oldest girl, who is looking presentable now that the spots on her face are going away. She was so put out by my gift last year that I would like to get her something halfway nice this year. Hubley’s has Butterick patterns, and I believe the girl would be pleased if I got her one for a shirt, which she could make for me.

I want to step around to where they are putting in the foundation for a new rink. The citizens of Bridgewater have subscribed the funds to build the rink, which is to have an indoor ice surface large enough for skating, league hockey and curling. There are also to be lavatories, dressing rooms, a band gallery and a room for serving refreshments. I know the wife would be delighted if I brought her down on an excursion for a turn around the ice, especially if the Bridgewater band is playing.

This is the last chance I’ll have to talk with you before Christmas, so I want to wish you a merry one, and a happy 1907!

Tom Sheppard’s ancestors can be reached by post at the Caledonia Corner.